Hawaii Rep. Colleen Hanabusa made it official Thursday — she's running for the Democratic nomination for Senate.

The move comes as no surprise. CQ Roll Call reported last week that Hanabusa was expected to announce this week, and Hanabusa has openly discussed the race since being passed over for an appointment to the seat in December.

But her decision kicks off what's likely to be a highly competitive and party-fracturing primary with appointed Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. They'll face off next year in a special election for the seat of the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye.

"This race will not be about personalities," Hanabusa wrote in a message on her new campaign website. "It will be about service, experience, and effectiveness. I look forward to the campaign, and to continuing to represent Hawaii’s voice and values in Washington."